Khalid Maqbool stresses need for training youth in biotechnology, artificial intelligence

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui visited the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex on Monday.

Talking to the media on the occasion, he said the financial and social crises of the country could be resolved by providing higher education to the youth. He said that biotechnology and artificial intelligence would take over every aspect of life in the next few years. “We have to prepare our young generation from now in this regard,” he remarked.

Dr Siddiqui, who is also the convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, said the youth were an asset of Pakistan, and the government was working on a plan for their higher education, especially through IT training courses.

He said that when everyone was worried about brain drain, the government was focusing on ‘brain train’. The federal minister also had conversation with PCSIR employees who complained of delayed payment of salaries. To this, he said that he would ensure that the salaries were disbursed this week.

He maintained that the shortage of manpower in the institution would also be addressed soon. Earlier, on his arrival at the PCSIR complex, Dr Siddiqui was given a detailed briefing on the functioning and performance of the institution. The minister was informed about the ongoing projects, technical activities and future plans of the PCSIR.

The federal science minister expressed special interest in the projects of the PCSIR. He stressed the need for initiating new projects. He also visited three scientific centres established in the complex.